Constraining the S factor of 15N(p,g)16O at Astrophysical Energies

The 15N(p,g)16O reaction represents a break out reaction linking the first and second cycle of the CNO cycles redistributing the carbon and nitrogen abundances into the oxygen range. The reaction is dominated by two broad resonances at Ep = 338 keV and 1028 keV and a Direct Capture contribution to the ground state of 16O. Interference effects between these contributions in both the low energy region (Ep < 338 keV) and in between the two resonances (338 <Ep < 1028 keV) can dramatically effect the extrapolation to energies of astrophysical interest. To facilitate a reliable extrapolation the 15N(p,g)16O reaction has been remeasured covering the energy range from Ep=1800 keV down to 130 keV. The results have been analyzed in the framework of a multi-level R-matrix theory and a S(0) value of 39.6 keV b has been found.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Exploring the role of individual level and firm level dynamic capabilities in SMEs’ internationalization

This paper presents a multi-level model that examines the impact of dynamic capabilities on the internationalization of SMEs while taking into account the interactions among them. The purpose of the research is to understand the applicability of dynamic capabilities at the individual and the firm level to the SME internationalization process in developing country context and to assess to what extent a firm’s asset position and individual level dynamic capabilities influence the generation of firm level dynamic capabilities in SMEs. First, the dynamic capabilities theory was theoretically linked to the internationalization phenomenon. The relationships among firm-level dynamic capabilities, individual-level dynamic capabilities (owner specific dynamic capabilities), and internationalization were identified. The research framework and hypotheses were developed and empirically tested with 197 SMEs. The findings established that owner-specific dynamic capabilities have a positive influence on both firm dynamic capabilities and internationalization, and firm dynamic capabilities positively influence internationalization. It was also found that the market assets position measured as perceptual environmental dynamism positively influenced firm dynamic capabilities but structural and reputational asset positions of SMEs did not influence generation of firm dynamic capabilities. Moreover, firm dynamic capabilities had a mediation effect in the relationship between owner-specific dynamic capabilities and internationalization. Theoretically, this confirms the relevance of dynamic capability theory to internationalization and the possibility of integrating existing internationalization theories. Entrepreneurs, SME managers, and policy-makers could gain valuable insights on how entrepreneur and firm capabilities lead to better international prospects from this outcome

Long-term results of orthodontic treatment of impacted maxillary canines

A total of 61 children who had 83 maxillary canines impacted were followed up for a mean of 3.5 years (range 1.1-10.9 years) after treatment to evaluate the long-term results of the treatments. In most of the children, the impacted maxillary canines had been surgically exposed and treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. In 11 cases, lateral incisors had been extracted because of extensive root resorption. The esthetic results as well as functional and periodontal conditions were evaluated. Only four of the 61 children were not satisfied with the esthetic result, whereas orthodontists judged only 56% of the results as esthetically acceptable on clinical evaluation and 57% as es-thetically acceptable on color slides. The periodontal conditions and the occlusal function on sides with previously impacted canines and on sides with normally erupted canines, on the whole, were similar. Exceptions were pocket depths of the left lateral incisors and left canines, but these variables were significantly different mainly because of one patient. In lateral movements of the mandible, however, significant differences in contact pattern were found between sides with normally erupted canines and sides with impacted canines. Canine rise occurred more often on working sides with normally erupted canines than with impacted canines

Deep-sea fluid and sediment dynamics—Influence of hill- to seamount-scale seafloor topography

International audienceDeep-sea sediments play a central role in a wide range of subject areas. A number of important controls on the formation of sedimentary deposits have been studied. However, to date, the impact of submarine landscape geometry as a possible control has received comparatively little attention. This seems to be particularly true for intermediate-scale topographic features such as abyssal hills, knolls and seamounts that can be found in many regions of the global seafloor: recent estimates suggest that in the deep open oceans, away from continental margins, there might be as many as ~ 25 × 106 abyssal hills, knolls and seamounts. Despite this large number very little is known about how they influence environmental complexity and patchiness, biogeochemical fluxes and the formation of sedimentary records.This paper reviews the currently known types of fluid-flow interactions with abyssal hills, knolls and seamounts that could potentially influence the way sediments are formed. The main types of relevant flow components are: quasi-steady to eddying background flow; internal lee and near-inertial waves; barotropic and baroclinic tides; and seamount-trapped waves. Previous studies looking into systematic links between fluid dynamics and sediments at hills, knolls and seamounts are reviewed. Finally, a case study is presented which aims to combine our current knowledge and investigate whether a given combination of recent fluid-flow components leaves a detectable imprint in the recent sediments on and around a short seamount.The main conclusions and implications are as follows. (1) Topographically generated flow-field geometries that are composed of a number of different prevailing fluid-flow components can be reflected and detected in properties of the underlying sediments. (2) Tidal and other higher-frequency (lee-wave, near-inertial) components of deep-ocean currents can be essential for locally driving total current velocities across threshold values for non-deposition/erosion/resuspension of freshly deposited deep-sea sediments. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that not only maximum current speeds but also intensities of higher-frequency (tidal and/or (near-)inertial) current-direction variability might control sediment dynamics and sediment formation. This relativises the view that current speed is the main, or even only, controlling factor for sediment dynamics and sediment formation. (3) When it comes to the reconstruction of paleo-flows, these findings imply that certain sedimentary records may well reveal more about variability in the higher-frequency flow components than about variability in the basin-scale net flow component that often is the focus of paleoceanographic studies. (4) Single-core paleo-records from hill-, seamount- or similarly controlled sediment deposits may be biased due to the asymmetry of flow fields around these topographic features. To arrive at unbiased paleo-records for non-fluid-dynamic parameters, the influence of the flow-field geometry would have to be removed from the record first. (5) It seems the mechanistic understanding of hill- and seamount-related flow/topography interactions and their links to sediment dynamics is approaching a level that may (a) facilitate improved interpretation of topographically controlled sedimentary paleo-records, (b) help fill in the knowledge gap that exists for functional deep-sea biodiversity at intermediate space scales, and (c) improve predictive capabilities for exploration of economically relevant iron–manganese (Fe–Mn) crusts on seamounts

X-linked Malformation and Cochlear Implantation

Objective: To evaluate if cochlear implantation is safe and constitutes an option for hearing rehabilitation of children with x-linked inner ear malformation. Study Design: Retrospective patient review in combination with a multidisciplinary follow-up. Patients: Ten children with severe-profound mixed hearing loss and radiological findings consistent with Incomplete Partition type 3 cochlear malformation received cochlear implants during the years 2007 to 2015. Nine of the children had a mutation affecting the gene POU3F4 on Xq21. Main Outcome Measures: Surgical events, intraoperative measures and electrical stimulation levels, hearing and spoken language abilities. Results: In all, 15 cochlear implantations were performed. In three cases the electrode was found to be in the internal auditory canal on intraoperative x-ray and repositioned successfully. One child had a postoperative rhinorrhea confirmed to be cerebrospinal fluid but this resolved on conservative treatment. No severe complications occurred. Postoperative electrical stimulation levels were higher in 9 of 10 children, as compared with typically reported average levels in patients with a normal cochlea. Eight patients developed spoken language to various degrees while two were still at precommunication level. However, speech recognition scores were lower than average pediatric cases. Conclusion: Cochlear implantation is a safe procedure for children with severe-profound mixed hearing loss related to POU3F4 mutation inner ear malformation. The children develop hearing and spoken language but outcome is below average for pediatric CI recipients

Structure of neutron-rich even-even

New levels are reported for 124,126Cd populated in the decay of 124,126Ag isomers, respectively. In addition, new data from direct population of levels in 124Cd from alpha-induced fission of 238U are reported, along with new shell-model calculations for 126Cd